I WAS sorry to read that former Lord Mayor Dave Edwards is having cancer treatment.

Many of us at Coventry (Rugby Club) have long enjoyed his company, even when we have beaten a Welsh team.

So Dave, here are a few reasons to be cheerful:

1. Thanks to a string of lucky incidents, Wales beat England at the Millennium Stadium.

2. All the Welsh delegates to the Trades Union Council and Labour Party are reminding me of this at every opportunity.

3. Duffy swept the board at the Brit Awards.

4. Katherine Jenkins is topping the classical charts yet again!

We look forward to seeing you at the Butts when Coventry are at home.

Chris Youett,

Spencer Avenue,

Coventry.

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Clear rubbish – return our pride

FOR months now I have travelled down Sky Blue Way into town and the rubbish at the back of properties in Far Gosford Street gets worse by the day.

Will anyone ever clean it up?

I have lived in Coventry all my life and I am sickened by rubbish and overflowing bins on streets and in front gardens everywhere I look; this makes the city look very bad to visitors.

Perhaps the council could clear this problem and give pride back to the people of Coventry.

J Archer,

Aldermoor Lane,

Coventry.

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White lines are disappearing

WHILST there have been many letters posted here regarding the state of the road surface across the city, has anyone also noticed the continuous erosion or disappearance of the white lines?

I still remember how my old driving instructor who kept pointing out that the white lines “represented an area of the road that should not be crossed – unless it is clear and safe to do so”.

In many cases you only know where the “centre line” is by the eroding joint in the tarmac.

How many of us pull up at a traffic light where the solid white line has now become a “dashed line”?

I live in the Binley area where there is a large number of roundabouts and have been cut-up many times by drivers approaching them in the wrong lane.

Daily I drive along Allard Way from Whitley towards the Binley Road, but just as you go over the crest of the hill, the two lanes are reduced down to one before the speed camera. Is there an arrow on the road to indicate this? No.

If I had a pound for every time the outside car tries to squeeze back into one at the last second because they “couldn’t see it coming” – I’d be a rich man!

Graham Boston,

Glebefarm Grove,

Binley,

Coventry.

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Say no to Rugby slaughterhouse

RE the proposal to build an abattoir near Rugby.

All too often it seems that residents have little choice in opposing the construction of a new building being erected or business started that could interfere with their lives as all too often the decision has already been made.

When I see applications for abattoirs, I’m reminded that abattoir is the French word for slaughterhouse, a kinder sounding word than slaughterhouse.

We, the residents, must stand together and make our views known loud and clear. “No slaughterhouse.” It will bring many problems and once it is here, it’s here to stay.

How can Rugby Borough Council even consider granting permission for a slaughterhouse to be built in an area that will affect so many residents?

Increased traffic, obnoxious and sickening smells and the devaluing of any property so affected by the results of this proposed slaughterhouse.

Then one has to consider the disposal of the hides, intestines and blood.

Slaughtered animals produce vast quantities of blood that has to be disposed of.

If permission is granted (myself and my neighbours sincerely hope not), I am sure that the council will, in its wisdom, be only to pleased to grant a reduction in council taxes to compensate all who suffer by such a place.

Larry Phillips

Rose Cottage,

Dunchurch Road

Rugby.

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Talk rekindles wartime sorrow

WITH regard to the Bishop’s visit to Dresden and the letters you have received since, may I suggest that before anyone else “bows their head”, some thought could be given to the anguish and heartbreak that their actions rekindle, especially to those of us who suffered great loss and sorrow during those dreadful days in 1940/41.

Revenge and pointing the finger of blame helps no one. Perhaps future bishops and lord mayors, etc, will leave well alone and let us all enjoy the peace and freedom that so many of our forces fought and died for.